Cyrus
| Cyrus | |
|---|---|
| Location | CRNG, Ochoco NF |
| Tree Count | 23 |
| Species | 23 apple |
| Varieties | 14 identified |
History
The Cyrus orchard (also known as the Omer Cyrus Orchard) was established by Omer Cyrus, the "middle" son of Enoch and Mary Cyrus, who homesteaded here about a half-mile west of his parents' place in 1900.
Omer Cyrus
Omer Cyrus was a dedicated pioneer photographer who worked in a studio next to his house until his eyesight deteriorated to the point that he couldn't "tint" photos or use his equipment. His house and buildings—torn down in the "relocation" work of the early 1930s—were in the grove of trees just west of and below his orchard.
The Orchard
Omer's orchard, situated on a north-sloping hillside with no obvious source of water, is remarkably well-preserved, with vigorous small trees bearing copious fruit.
According to the 2012 Home Orchard Society survey (elevation 3,353 ft, coordinates N 44°26.769' W 121°06.482'):
- 22 apple trees on north facing slope, very productive
- 4 plum trees (possibly root suckers)
- 2 Blue Elderberries
- Large number of pear root suckers and/or seedlings
Varieties Identified
- Yellow Transparent (6-7 trees)
- Purple Siberian Crab (Tree #1)
- Esteline (rare variety, Tree #22) - identified by Shaun Shepherd of Home Orchard Society
- Possible Winter Banana
There is the ruin of a huge Box Elder tree just below the orchard to the north.
According to Duane Ecker's 2001 notes, the orchard contained 24 apple trees and 15 plum trees, all within a fenced area. Three apple trees on the east side were pruned in FY 2001. The plum trees are clustered on the east side except for 3 under the poplars (2 caged).
The survival of this orchard owes much to the timely intervention of Duane Ecker and Harry Ketrenos in the 1970s.
Sources: Home Orchard Society/Apple Detective notes 2012; Duane Ecker field notes 2001; Jefferson County Historical Society "The Agate" Spring 2015
Primary Sources
The following historical documents are available:
Orchard Map
Trees
- Tree #0- Yellow Transparent
- Tree #1(good)
- Tree #4- Yellow Transparent(fair)
- Tree #5(poor)
- Tree #6(fair)
- Tree #7- Unique Trees(poor)
- Tree #8- Yellow Transparent(good)
- Tree #9- Yellow Transparent(poor)
- Tree #10- Yellow Transparent(poor)
- Tree #11- Yellow Transparent(fair)
- Tree #12- Yellow Transparent(fair)
- Tree #13- Unique Trees(good)
- Tree #14- Unique Trees(poor)
- Tree #15- Blue Pearmain(fair)
- Tree #16(dead)
- Tree #17- Northern Spy(fair)
- Tree #19- Ohio Pippin(poor)
- Tree #20- Red Astrachan(poor)
- Tree #21- Monmouth Pippin(fair)
- Tree #22- Duchess of Oldenburg(fair)
- Tree #23- Unique Trees(poor)
- Tree #24- Yellow Transparent(fair)
- Tree #25- Unique Trees(fair)
Varieties
- Blue Pearmain
- Duchess of Oldenburg
- Monmouth Pippin
- Northern Spy
- Ohio Pippin
- Red Astrachan
- Yellow Transparent
Historical Documents
See also: Document Archive
Maps
File:Omer Cyrus Orchard Map GoogEarth.pdf
Related Orchards
Cyrus Family Orchards
The Cyrus orchards were established by members of the Cyrus family who homesteaded in the Gray Butte area starting in 1882.
